W ORKING W ITH C HILDREN, Y OUNG P EOPLE AND F AMILIES Dysfunction Through Domestic Violence Myles Gilbert James Leverton Nikki Mulder Dave Welsh Megan White

D YSFUNCTION T HROUGH D OMESTIC V IOLENCE A Short Film: Definitions of Domestic Violence: ‘ any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality’. (Home Office, 2011). domestic violence is physical, sexual, psychological or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. This can include forced marriage and so-called 'honour crimes'. Domestic violence may include a range of abusive behaviours, not all of which are in themselves inherently 'violent'. (Women’s Aid 2007)

D YSFUNCTION T HROUGH D OMESTIC V IOLENCE DV is seen in law as “Essentially PRIVATE”, however there is an increasing recognition of the context of child protection. In CA 1989 the change to the definition of HARM of a child now includes “impairment suffered from seeing or hearing the ill treatment of another”. CA2004 puts a duty on LAs to make arrangements to safeguard children in their areas who are living in households that contain DV. Legal remedies are provided through the Family Law Act 1996 with modernisation of this through the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (DVCVA 2004) with a view of strengthening the rights of victims and witnesses and introduces new offences and sanctions for perpetrators. (Bramer, 2010)

D YSFUNCTION T HROUGH D OMESTIC V IOLENCE The DVCVA amends the Law in two respects. 1. it enlarges the class of associated persons (who are partners) now says “Cohabitants are two persons who, although not married to each other, are living together as husband and wife or (if of the same sex) in an equivalent relationship. 2. A person is associated with another person if:- “they have or have had an intimate personal relationship with each other which is or was of significant duration. (tries to include boyfriend and girlfriend). (Brammer 2010) Additionally, there has been a change to the way breach of “non- molestation” orders are enforced. A person must have reasonable excuse for breaching the order, if they don’t have an excuse they are guilty of the offence and can be found guilty for an “insignificant” breach. (Family law week, 2012) There is an introduction of “familial homicide” and providing power of arrest for common assault.

D YSFUNCTION T HROUGH D OMESTIC V IOLENCE The drive to change was from women’s groups who were seeking equality in “all forms of relationships” (Walklate, 1996) Particularly in issues of power relationships in respect of DV and female rape (Rock, 1990) In 2000 there was a move (with pressure from the home office )to a “partnership approach” of multi-agencies” working towards tackling abuse and supporting victims. (Home Office, 2000a) However police recording of DV is suggested to be 45% of actual with a further 44% of victims withdrawing their complaints (Gaurdian 2004) Previously, police found DV as a private matter and very difficult to police so it was largely ignored. Heidensohn (2003) Police are stated as being more positive in their actions to the policing of DV however there is still an element of junior frontline officers not being aware of the law and policy on DV thus still not being completely engaged in its prevention. Recent Changes:

D YSFUNCTION T HROUGH D OMESTIC V IOLENCE mage Source Page: /

D YSFUNCTION T HROUGH D OMESTIC V IOLENCE IDAP is an integrated domestic abuse programme (run in Nottingham).  Protection of the victim is a paramount aim of the programme.  It encompasses; behaviour-challenging group work for male perpetrators of domestic abuse  support for their partners and children  strong information-sharing links with police and effective working relationships with relevant statutory and community organisations.  Candidates for the programme are targeted effectively, preventing the build-up of a waiting list, and we work hard to ensure Courts have confidence in sentencing offenders to IDAP.

D YSFUNCTION T HROUGH D OMESTIC V IOLENCE This is what it suggests Women's Safety Workers enable the victim of domestic abuse the opportunity to;  receive help & support  Give out information about their abuser  And for the first time the chance to help shape the offender's rehabilitation This year alone twenty four new volunteer mentors ready to steer offenders away from crime showing that this scheme is working 15/02/ Copyright ©2006 Nottingham Probation

D YSFUNCTION T HROUGH D OMESTIC V IOLENCE hethering et al (1977) and Corby (2000) both question the viability of Social Workers they suggest that citizens see Social Workers as controlling and judgemental whereas Stanley & Goddard (1977) suggest “the family can draw the Social Worker into the role of victim making them unable to challenge the abuse”. Humphreys (2000) Suggests that “ The effects of men’s avoidance of responsibility and their frequent aggression, are often not confronted by practitioners”. Mullender and Morley 1994 again suggest “ Work with the family may be ineffective because assumptions are made”. This is backed up by Smith 1989, and Walker 1977.

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Destructive Effects of The Cycle of Abuse  Isolation from others, withdrawal from family and friends, avoid the public  Spending more and more time at work, not wanting to come home  Low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness  Depression, thoughts of suicide  Emotional problems, shame, emotional highs and lows, emotional numbness  Illness - physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually  Increased alcohol or drug use, addictions  Withdrawal from real life into an alternative reality - perhaps the Internet

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